NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y. — For nearly 300 years, Old Fort Niagara, the French Castle and all have stood at the mouth of the Niagara River. If these walls could talk, oh the stories they could tell. Perhaps they would share a little gratitude toward Sir Robert Emerson, too.

He’s been the executive director of the historic site for the past 25 years.

What You Need To Know

  • Robert Emerson has been the executive director of Old Fort Niagara for 25 years 

  • In late July, he was Knighted by the French for this efforts

  • Emerson prefers to tout upcoming projects at the fort, like restoration of the roof and chimneys 

  • Old Fort Niagara will turn 300 in 2026

“You get out of the car at Old Fort Niagara, and your jaw literally drops because the size of this place,” Emerson said.

But he’s also its protector, its preservationist and storyteller.

“What drew me here, was the time period, and the early history of our country, and also the early history of Canada,” Emerson said.

Sadly these walls cannot talk, but international representatives can. Recently the French, paid a visit to Emerson to bestow a very special honor.

“I have been awarded the Order national du Merite, with the rank of Chevalier,” Emerson smiled.

Translation- National Order of Merit with the rank of Knight. It’s the second highest award for civilians. Now you get why we’ve been referring to Emerson, as Sir Emerson.

“His achievement had to be recognized and celebrated, and it’s about time,” Bertrand Juillet, Horary Consulate of France for Western New York said.

Juillet says the French are proud of their history, and it’s a relief to know a piece of theirs, thousands of miles away, is in loving hands.

“It’s just amazing that Bob has maintained it, Juillet said.

Those who visit the historic site could not agree more.

“Not many people have anything like this in their regular backyard,” Chris Zuck of Wheatfield smiled.

But they are extremely grateful someone has taken the time to keep this piece of history standing, especially a Knight.

“We don’t hear about that in Western New York,” Zuck laughed.

Emerson, in true fashion, is left humbled by it all.

“It was a huge honor,” he smiled.

He does get a kick out of reactions from friends outside of the fort regarding his new title.

“And he removed his hat and bowed, but it was all in good fun,” Emerson laughed about a board member stopping to say hello during a walk.

But jokes aside, Emerson quickly turns any conversation regarding his knighthood into an opportunity to tout the programs available at the fort to learn and explore — further solidifying why he caught the eye of a country nearly 4,000 miles away.

“I did this for the love of it,” Emerson said.

As far as the fort’s future goes, in 2026 it will turn 300. There will be lots of celebrations then. In the meantime, as seen in the video, it is under construction. It has a leaky roof and stones falling off its many chimneys that are getting fixed. Plus, they are in the planning phases of a Native American dwelling. This way there will be a permanent structure to share that critical piece of the fort’s history, too.